By Annie Cutler
KAMAS, Utah (ABC 4 News) – There’s a solution to a frustrating, frightening, and costly problem. The problem is that 20 year old Justin Bailey of Kamas suffers from autism and keeps wandering away from home. It happened again this week. It's costing thousands in taxpayer dollars to search for him, plus the stress it puts on his family. Now the family and the police say it's time for Justin to have a tracking bracelet.
There was a sigh of relief when search and rescuers found Bailey just 500 yards from his house. Hi mom, Jennifer Bailey says, “He wasn't out of my sight for more than a couple minutes and he was gone.” But it's not the first time Bailey - who suffers from autism - has wandered from home. Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds says, “This is the second time he's gone missing in about 9 or 10 months so it seems reasonable that he could run again.”
After spending over $30,000 on search parties to find Bailey, Edmunds suggested a personal tracking device. He says, “If we can take a proactive measure and actually get a piece of technology that's going to find him rapidly, then clearly we're taking a proactive approach and saving the taxpayer's money.”
The Baileys agree but they're on a fixed income and can't afford $6,000 for the advanced technology. So ABC 4 took action and did some research. We came across Project Lifesaver through the National Autism Association. We called to see if it was an option for the Baileys. Wendy Fournier says it's a program that works for anyone who tends to wander, “Not only children with autism but other developmental disabilities. Children with down syndrome are on the program. The older population suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.”
Summit County Sheriffs would be trained on how to use the satellite equipment. Bailey will wear a light weight tracking bracelet. If he wanders again it will take just two trained personnel about 15 minutes to find him. Jennifer Bailey says, “It won't be quite so much of a worry if you turn your back on him for 90 seconds.”
Again, the program costs about $6,000. The National Autism Association has agreed to cover the cost for Summit County and the Baileys but will accept any help in donations. Here's where you can take action to help. They've set up a custom donation page just for Utah donors at http://www.nationalautismassociation...mitCountyFOUND.
Source: http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/...Sf33F_EIA.cspx
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It sounds extreme but it seems the best thing for Justin and his family, and the most cost-effective approach to the problem. I hope that they get the money soon and put an end to this worrying problem.
ReplyDeleteDr Chun Wong
www.newautismcure.com/blog